Talking to your doctor

Talking to your doctor

Be comfortable with your doctor, think of him as a friend, father or someone close to you. In this way you will have a clear and honest communication, which is very important because this can help you make smart choices about your health. Be honest with your symptoms even if you feel shy. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Here are St. Anne General Hospital, Inc. tips that can help you talk to your doctor:

1. Plan ahead, think of the questions you will be asking, the possible answer and the next question. Plan your questions very well, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember a good doctor isn’t afraid to answer questions and don’t mind if you ask questions. A good doctor knows you care about your health and you are only protecting your body. Here at St. Anne General Hospital, Inc. we have very good doctors who understand care deeply for their patients.
2. You may take notes, you may not remember everything so writing it, is a good idea. 
3. Ask your doctor’s contact information and when is the right time to contact them.
4. Your doctor needs to know a lot about you, your family, your lifestyle, even your sex life. Do not be shy the better your doctor understand your history the better treatment you can get. For example, you had a fever for 5 days and you didn’t call your doctor or visit any physicians. And if your doctor told you when did the fever started, you might think that your doctor might be disappointed by not calling him 5 days ago when the fever started so you will tell him the fever started yesterday. Well, this dishonest information could mislead your doctor. There might be an infection that has been going on for several days and the treatment could be wrong (the drug dosage and frequency may not be appropriate). So honesty is really needed.
5. Bringing a friend or a family member is always welcome but don’t bring the entire barangay with you.
6. Many people now believe the internet, the websites or whatever they can find online. You may search online, or search websites for information but remember this information are only to help you to come up with better questions for your doctor. You still need your doctor. Many people nowadays already diagnosed themselves based on websites or online research and they are only there to make the doctor agree with them. The same goes for the treatment which they based on online research. It should be the doctor making the diagnosis, and treatment, not the other way around. You must show respect to your doctor. At St. Anne General Hospital, Inc our doctors are not threatened with your knowledge found on the internet but remember a doctor can’t be replaced by the internet. Not all information on the internet or website is correct some are wrong, your doctor is still your best source of information for your health.